Health Specialist

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Close relatives¹ of ADB staff, except spouses of international staff, are not eligible for recruitment and appointment to staff positions. Applicants are expected to disclose if they have any relative/s by consanguinity/blood, by adoption and/or by affinity/marriage presently employed in ADB.

¹Close relatives refer to spouse, children, mother, father, brother and sister, niece, nephew, aunt and uncle

Staff on probation are not eligible to apply. Applicants for promotion must have served at their position for at least one year and must have normally served at their personal level for at least two years immediately preceding the date of the vacancy closing date. Applicants for lateral transfer must have served at their position and personal level for at least one year immediately preceding the date of the vacancy closing date (reference A.O. 2.03, paragraphs 5.8 and 5.9).

In the event that the staff appointed to a new category (i.e. from AS to NS, or from NS to IS) is rated at 2 or lower in the first two performance reviews after appointment at the new level, they will return to the level occupied immediately prior to their appointment in the new category.

Overview

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines and is composed of 68 members, 49 of which are from the Asia and Pacific region. ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. ADB combines finance, knowledge, and partnerships to fulfill its expanded vision under its Strategy 2030.

ADB only hires nationals of its 68 members.

The position is assigned in the Human and Social Development Division (SAHS) within the South Asia Regional Department (SARD). SAHS is mandated to develop the social sectors, including but not limited to education, health, and social protection, in South Asia developing member countries (DMCs). SAHS aims to ensure DMCs can deliver quality social services for all and address constraints in human capital development that supports sustained economic development.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

The Health Specialist will identify, develop, implement, and administer loans, technical assistances (TAs), and non-lending products and services in the areas of health sector in line with ADB’s Strategy 2030 and the needs to respond especially to the COVID-19 outbreak in South Asia. This position will undertake policy dialogue, promote best practices and innovations for strengthening health programs and projects, undertake relevant sector and thematic studies, and participate in COVID-19 emergency assistance programs. The incumbent will report to the Director of SAHS and may supervise national and administrative Staff.

Responsibilities

• Extensively drives and supports the development, processing, and administration of loans and TA projects in the health sector, including emergency assistance programs related to COVID-19, with moderate to high level or risk and complexity;
• Contributes to the development of sector policy and strategies for health sector in DMCs, in consultation with relevant government agencies and ADB’s Resident Missions (RMs);
• Participates in country teams and provides substantive technical sector inputs for the Country Partnership Strategy (CPS);
• Leads and/or participates in missions responsible for the identification, preparation, appraisal and administration of programs and projects in the health sector and ensures key technical, economic, financial and safeguard issues are incorporated into project and program design in coordination with other Departments to ensure full compliance of ADB policies and procedures;
• Facilitates effective liaison and coordination with executing agencies and implementing agencies, and development agencies and donors, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations, involved in ADB-assisted operations, to ensure smooth project implementation and achievement of development results;
• Coordinates with RMs for consistency of approach, exchange of experiences, and continuous improvement of practices and integration of health sector policy commitments to the management of projects;
• Contributes to the generation, preparation, and dissemination of high-quality knowledge products and activities relevant to DMCs, including the promotion of innovations and best practices;
• Contributes new and innovative approaches to policies, strategies, and operational issues, including private sector engagement in social sectors, in the context of inclusive and sustainable growth and poverty reduction;
• Ensures ADB assistance implementation is compliant and consistent with ADB policies, strategies and procedures ensure smooth project implementation;
• Participates in missions and other activities in the administration of both delegated and non-delegated loan and TA projects in the social sectors;
• Provides guidance, advice and comments as appropriate to project teams in the administration of loan, grant and TA projects for the social sectors;
• Coordinates with colleagues in the division and regional department and in other ADB offices and departments as appropriate;
• Leads and/or participates in discussion with other development partners for co-financing, and with private sector stakeholders for public-private sector partnerships;
• Leads and/or participates in discussions with Governments and identifies investment opportunities in the health sector, increasing access to health assistance for the poor;
• Leads and/or participates in conducting economic, thematic and sector work related to policy, legal and regulatory as well as institutional framework for the health sector in the context of sustainable economic development and eradicating extreme poverty;
• Fosters collaboration within the division and with all divisions/departments concerning the health and social outcomes of ADB operations;
• Monitors the pipeline of health-related knowledge products bank-wide to ensure solid basis for operational work as well as the implementation of operational plans related to public health at the corporate level ensuring ongoing monitoring and assessment of their impacts; and provides operational advice for the processing and implementation of ADB-assisted operations involving health aspects in a variety of sectors;
• Fosters collaboration with all divisions/departments concerning the health and social outcomes of ADB operations; contribute to the operation of other communities of practice that influence public health, social and human development, including energy, food security, gender equity, governance, social development and poverty, transport, urban development, and water/sanitation; and provide guidance and inputs to development plans of health specialists and deliver/participate in specialist training and presentations within and outside ADB for health knowledge dissemination to produce high quality knowledge products;
• Performs other duties that may be assigned as reflected in the incumbent’s workplan.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

• A University degree in economics (preferably with specialization in health economics), health or other related fields; preferably at post-graduate level or its equivalent
• At least 6 years of relevant professional experience in the health sector
• Knowledge of development issues in Asia. Expertise within a specific area of ADB’s operations (economic, sector or thematic), or breadth across multiple areas with in-depth knowledge within one area.
• Good understanding and experience in the overall tasks needed in the preparation of investment projects, including project identification and conceptualization, analysis of relevant policies, preparing studies and reports, and coordination with external stakeholders, consultants, and government agencies.
• Good skills and experience in coordinating and working with teams of professionals such as for technical, social, and environmental safeguards, economic assessments, procurement, etc.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English is required;
• International experience working in development in several countries, with substantial experience in the health sector in Asia and the Pacific;
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 3 and 4.

General Considerations

The selected candidate, if new to ADB, is appointed for an initial term of 3 years.

ADB offers competitive remuneration and a comprehensive benefits package. Actual appointment salary will be based on ADB’s standards and computation, taking into account the selected individual’s qualifications and experience.

ADB seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities to work in an inclusive environment. ADB encourages all qualified candidates to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities. Women are highly encouraged to apply.

Please note that the actual level and salary will be based on qualifications of the selected candidate.